Harvard-Westlake High School has a rich history of producing talented baseball players, and Bryce Rainer is no exception. Since his freshman year, Rainer has been in the spotlight, leading his team to a CIF-Southern District Section Division I title. This achievement is particularly impressive considering the school’s notable alumni, including MLB stars like Jack Flaherty, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Max Fried, and Lucas Giolito.
Despite the constant attention from scouts throughout his high school career, Rainer has thrived under pressure. He showcased his skills at the National High School Invitational and had an outstanding senior season, hitting a career-best .505. His performance helped lead Harvard-Westlake to the CIF-SS final game. Rainer’s ability to maintain composure and focus on the game rather than the rankings has been key to his success.
As one of the top prospects in the 2024 class, Rainer’s talent has not gone unnoticed. In Keith Law’s most recent top-100 prospects rating, Rainer was ranked No. 8 overall and was the top high school player listed. Law even projects him to be selected with the No. 7 pick by the St. Louis Cardinals in his latest mock draft. This recognition further solidifies Rainer’s status as a highly regarded player.
Interestingly, Rainer made a surprising decision after his freshman season by choosing to focus solely on being a position player instead of playing both as a pitcher and position player. Despite having an impressive fastball that reached 96 mph, Rainer decided to establish himself as a shortstop with exceptional fielding skills, an above-average arm, and power potential from the left side of the plate. This strategic move only enhanced his prospect status and intrigued scouts even more.
However, Rainer has not completely ruled out pitching in the future. He remains open to reconsidering his decision and sees the possibility of returning to the mound. While he didn’t pitch much during his high school career, he recognizes that there may be opportunities for him to showcase his pitching abilities in the future.
In conclusion, Bryce Rainer’s talent and composure have made him one of the most highly regarded high school prospects in the 2024 class. His decision to focus on being a position player has paid off, as he has excelled in that role. However, the possibility of him returning to pitching remains open. As the MLB draft approaches, all eyes will be on Rainer to see where his promising career takes him.